Project evaluation: the TreeGeneration urban forestry pilot project for North East Wales

How can urban tree planting support regeneration?

Summary

Trees and woodlands in urban and peri-urban areas can make a positive contribution to social conditions and the environment. TreeGeneration provided a pilot to determine the potential for a national urban forestry initiative as part of the Welsh regeneration policy. Forest Research explored how TreeGeneration met the strategic aims of Forestry Commission Wales and Welsh government policy. The team also examined the delivery and partnership processes, outputs and outcomes, with a review of internal structures, processes and funding mechanisms.

Key findings

Strength in partnership – the partnership structure helped to embed the work into two local authorities as well as Forestry Commission Wales

Applicants felt that the diverse range of support – financial, expertise and operational – was appropriate and valuable

Promotional activities revealed existing, negative attitudes towards trees and woodlands in urban areas – the business community expressed a fear that tree cover would exacerbate existing crime and antisocial behaviour